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Author: Derrick

Author: Derrick

Digitalization IOMe
Training

ESO Digitalization Training

The Association of Startup and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) is actively promoting networking among its members to become the driving force for entrepreneurial economic breakthroughs in Kenya. As a member of ASSEK, I.O.Me254 participated in a digitalization training ON aimed at capacity-building entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) to enhance their service delivery through digitization of their systems and processes.  The training covered various thematic areas, including Digital Business Model and Strategy, Digital Finance Management and Strategy, Digital Marketing Leadership and Strategy, Digitization of M&E, and Digital Fundraising. The ESO leaders were encouraged to develop a working business model canvas through a deeper understanding of their target customer segment using a human-centred design approach.  Digitalization of ESO processes was highly encouraged, and this included financial management. ESO leaders were urged to invest in financial management tools and not just accounting tools. Various common financial tools were discussed, ranging from Microsoft Excel to more comprehensive tools such as Xero and SAP B1.  Digital marketing was also covered in detail, and the main objectives of investing in digital marketing for ESOs were highlighted.   In conclusion, the digital transformation of ESOs is no longer an option but a necessary step to be taken. The initial investment can be relatively high but when done appropriately, return on investment is guaranteed. Strategic partnerships can be a cost-effective approach to steadily build towards digital transformation and growth of these organizations. ASSEK’s digitalization training provides a comprehensive guide for ESOs to enhance their service delivery through the digitization of their systems and processes. 

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Development

Lamu County Government Showcases Swahili Culture with CNC-Milled Mashrabia Wall Partitions

The Lamu County Government has recently introduced CNC-milled Mashrabia wall partitions in their offices to promote the local culture and traditional designs of Swahili artefacts. These lattice-work patterns have been an integral part of Swahili culture for centuries and are known for their geometric shapes and repetitive patterns, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow.   The CNC milling technology provided by I.O.Me 005 Innovation Lab has revolutionized the way these patterns are produced, making it possible to create even more intricate designs at a faster rate. By incorporating traditional symbols and motifs into the Mashrabia designs, I.O.Me 005 has been able to create customizable wall partitions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also represent the local culture, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of the Swahili people.  CNC milling technology can achieve a high level of precision, resulting in a flawless finished product. This is particularly important in the case of Mashrabia patterns, which often feature complex interlocking shapes and motifs. The Lamu County Government’s use of CNC-milled Mashrabia patterns in their offices is a significant step towards promoting local culture and Swahili artefacts. This initiative is a way of preserving the heritage of the Swahili people and showcasing it to the world. The introduction of CNC milling technology not only improves the commercial supply of these artefacts but also provides employment opportunities for those interested in art through the final polishing and marketing of the products. 

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Training

Fabrication of Wooden Certificates

When one receives an award or a gift, it makes them feel that their work is valued and that their employer is fully aware of their individual as well as team efforts and accomplishments That’s what Trufoods were looking to achieve and we stepped in to make it happen through a unique way of presenting certificates of dedication for the team. From a draft certificate design they had prepared, we analyzed it and brainstormed on how to recreate it uniquely and innovatively. A team of Innovators and staff came up with an idea of a digitally fabricated wooden certificate inspired by one of our innovators, Mohamed Arafat’s wall decorative piece. A rapid design and prototyping was done on 3mm plywood to illustrate the idea to the customer using a Laser Engraving Machine. The Final product was to be made using a composition of different types of wood – Mvule and Ebony (Mkulu) as well as some metallic rings. The production process started with cutting the main body certificate from the mvule on CNC Machine, then fitting in the Mkulu & brass rings. As is the norm at the lab, the finishing process of any product is a communal bonding moment for everyone where music, dancing, and jokes are always served in unregulated proportions. A total of 41 Certificates were produced. The Certificated are also supplied with stands that make them easy to be strategically placed on one’s desk.    

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Training

Audio-Visual and Social Media Training

A 4-day training on Audio-Visual and Social Media that was held at I.O.Me001 Innovation Hub. The training was facilitated by Switch Media and was organized by the French Solidarity Fund Project Initiative (FSPI).  A total of 33 youths and women from Mombasa and Lamu counties who had an interest in videography, audio-visual, content creation and media participated in the training. Participants learned about script writing, including the structure of an effective script with an intro, body, and conclusion. They were introduced to concept development, writing to the picture, and the importance of considering the target audience’s demographics when determining the language of the script.     The participants also learned about different types of filming equipment and techniques such as shot composition, camera movement, and video editing. The aspect ratios for various online platforms and the importance of shot selection (long shots, medium shots, close-up shots) were also discussed. Finally, the training covered the benefits of having a professional Facebook page and how to effectively utilize it.

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Training

RASPBERRY PI IN EDUCATION

Addressing the device and infrastructure gap for STEM and ICT learning Raspberry Pi is a series of single-board computers made by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a charity in UK that aims to improve young people’s potential through education and access to available computing. The original board was released in 2012 and different versions have been released since then with varying computing capacities for different applications. The boards run on Linux operating system and have been provided with general purpose input/output pins that allows connection of sensor and other electronic components for use. During their visit to Kenya, the CEO and Co-founder of Raspberry Pi Foundation Eben Upton and the Managing Director, Education Products Sian Harris were hosted by Liquid Intelligent Technologies at the Nairobi Garage on Tuesday 25th October 2022 to meet a community of educators who use raspberry pi platform to provide digital skills to learners in Kenya. A panel discussion was held to discuss the need for affordable and suitable devices, connectivity, learning content/curriculum. The panel was comprised of professionals who are actively working to increase accessibility of digital content, to build local infrastructure for innovation, to connect learning hubs, to approve and publish digital content, as well as creating hands on devices for use in STEM education. They included: Derrick Mugasia – IOMe005 Hub (Kenya Red Cross Society) David Butitta – Centre for ICT Integration Twahir Hussain – Lamuka Hub Kiko Muo – Angaza Elimu Vanessa Inziani – Young Scientists Kenya The panel was moderated by Ben Roberts, the Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies. For Kenya Red Cross Society, Derrick discussed the collaborative project being done with Delft University of Technology to design and fabricate 3D printed Digital Microscopes for schools in marginalized and low resource setting powered by Raspberry Pi Zero. Derrick Mugasia presenting about the Digital Microscope In the event attended by the Ministry of Education, private sector, educators and innovators, challenges encountered in proving access to quality education and Education technology in Kenya were discussed. Curriculum developers were also urged to involve stakeholders in the technology space in the design of school education plans and materials to enable integration of technological trends that learners need to be prepared for such as programming and proper use of the internet. In his address, the Raspberry Pi CEO announced his plans to partner with Gearbox and start the production of some the Raspberry Pi boards (Raspberry Pico and Pico Wireless) in Kenya. This would improve access to the boards at an affordable price for most learners to be educated about computing at an early stage. The move will also improve innovation and prototyping in the country allowing the young entrepreneurs to conduct technological experiments at a manageable cost. Liquid Intelligent Technologies will be the official Kenyan distributor of the Raspberry Pi boards in order to regulate the price at which the boards are being sold in the market. Through government support, they are also planning to distribute the Raspberry Pi Kits to different schools across the country where they have already provided internet connectivity. Joined by CEO and Co-founder of Raspberry Pi Foundation Eben Upton, representing and Tech Kids Africa who were also present

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Training

ARDUINO LEARNING WEEK

Everyday new technological advancements are introduced to the consumer market. These ideas are designed to ensure that regular human tasks are implemented with ease, efficiency, accuracy and safety. In order to remain relevant, manufacturers, makers and innovators have had to stay ahead of information on technological changes, learn how to apply them in their sectors of interest and if not using them, then at least develop their products and solutions in anticipation of the new technology to ensure compatibility. The 19th Century saw all the important principles of electricity power generation figured out after which the 20th century was able to expand it to large scale production and distribution for household use. These changes coupled with the invention of the electronic digital computer (20th Century) are now positively affecting modern living with smart devices and even vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Bentley, Ford, Honda and Toyota promising a carbon neutral future and production of fully electric vehicles within the next three decades. Changes like this have inspired innovations across all sectors including communication, health, education, manufacturing, food and agriculture, building and construction, and fashion. An economy that aims at sustainable growth and stability relies on a dependable workforce of producers and not just consumers. This therefore requires that relevant skills are natured to its most potential workforce, equipping them with tools necessary for innovation, production and access to the consumer market. Based on the availability of cutting edge digital production technology at the innovation lab, I.O.Me005 kicked of a series of Learning weeks where selected youth are trained on various design and fabrication techniques. The first Learning Week was held from 5th to 9th September 2022, introducing participants to electronics and automation. Dubbed Arduino Learning Week, the five-day workshop exposed 14 participants to different electronic sensors, input devices and output devices using the Arduino kit. They learnt how to write code that programs these sensors and components for use to read and calculate distance, monitor motion, light and darkness, design alarms and automated lighting systems. This training created opportunities for further learning on electronics and using its applications on their projects of interest. The youth saw this as an opportunity to develop and suggest solutions to different community challenges in Lamu including water-based commuter transport, agriculture, security and human-animal conflict. The program was then followed by 3 more weeks of learning different digital fabrication techniques.

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